J. Davitt McAteer, assistant secretary for the Labor
Department's Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), has
been named acting solicitor of the Labor Department.

McAteer has served as assistant labor secretary since
February 1994 and, in addition to his new responsibilities as
acting solicitor, will continue to function as MSHA's top
official.

"Davitt McAteer has been extremely effective in running the
Mine Safety and Health Administration," said Secretary of Labor
Robert B. Reich. "He brings to this new position considerable
expertise in the law of the workplace; he has long supported
enacting and enforcing health and safety laws that protect our
nation's workers."

Ida Castro, presently serving as the deputy assistant
secretary for workers' compensation, has been named acting deputy
solicitor.

From 1984-93, McAteer served as executive director of the
Occupational Safety and Health Law Center, a public interest law
firm that engages in litigation, education and training, and
policy analysis of workplace health and safety issues, both
domestically and abroad.

McAteer received his law degree from West Virginia
University in 1970. The following year, he launched his legal
career as an attorney with the Center for the Study of Responsive
Law. His main thrust was improving conditions in U.S. mines.

In 1972, McAteer took a position with the United Mine
Workers of America (UMWA). As solicitor of safety for the UMWA,
he helped to revitalize the union's safety and health program,
improving the training of rank-and-file safety inspectors.

McAteer is married, has five children and lives in Jefferson
County, W.Va.